Legal marijuana: Mistake in the making?

Maybe overlooked to some extent in last week's election was voters' legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington.

I'm against it because I've seen too many people arrested who were high on marijuana who were impaired in roughly the same way as someone drunk or high on drugs.

But some experts -- including the National Institute on Drug Abuse - say it's uncertain if marijuana causes permanent effects, although short-term effects are clearly documented.

Another aspect: States' rights. The Justice Department says it may step in and block those new initiatives from taking effect, saying federal laws override state laws. Those of you who are supportive of states' rights, should states be in control in this case?

And yet another aspect: Republicans constantly used "creating jobs" as a talking point this year when protesting higher taxes on the rich. A union president told The Denver Post, according to wire services and several bloggers, that legal marijuana will "create living-wage jobs" in state-licensed pot stores. Should marijuana be supported as a job-creator?

1) The government needs to be less involved in telling people how to live.

2) It would not create jobs, but it would move jobs from the underground sector to the aboveground sector.

3) More importantly, it would move organized crime revenues into the tax coffers. Who do you think is the biggest opponent of legalization?

4) It would free up a lot of money and time in law enforcement and the court/penal system.

5) The freedom to choose means the freedom to make bad choices, not just good ones. The government should be less involved in people's personal business.

-- Posted by lazarus on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 12:13 PM

"...I'm against it because I've seen too many people arrested who were high on marijuana who were impaired in roughly the same way as someone drunk or high on drugs..."

If you see it the same as alcohol and alcohol is legal and regulated and controlled by us then why not Marijuana? The mistake would be to continue with the status quo; feeding billions of dollars to dangerous drug cartels with no progress whatsoever.

-- Posted by Gpicciuto on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 12:24 PM

Since I am not a "smoker" of any product, (I have enough problems with pollutants as it is) I feel safe in publicly agreeing with lazarus.

I do not see marijuana as being any more debilitating than alcohol and possibly less if my pot smoking friends are correct. In fact, except for the smell, glassy eyes and desire to consume any food in front of them, (LOL) I would say they are less debilitated than those with alcohol.

We have seen what happens when the government tries to ban alcohol, so I have always been curious how they think banning marijuana would be different.

At least if it is grown in the U.S. legally, we have a better chance of monitoring what is sprayed on it, or what "modifications" it is going through. Just like making sure that alcohol is relative safe to consume.

I understand that the "weed" of today is much different than what we saw in the 70's. Maybe some anonymous reader can help us with that?

I might also check with a friend who has been smoking it for about 40 years. We never discuss it but will not mind if I ask.

By the way, this person does not seem to be worse off for use. However, I see alcoholic friends in much worse situations.

One could not make it to our high school reunion dinner a few weeks ago because he had consumed too much during the day, while a few glassy eyed folks were there and doing fine.

While job creation alone would not be a reason to support legalization, it is a reality. At one time I recall hearing from State officials that marijuana is one of the State's top agricultural crops, but it was hard to confirm for obvious reasons.

Now I defer to lazarus' last three points. Our friends South of the border would have much less to deal with and so would our border agents and law enforcement.

I believe the Federal government has more than enough issues to resolve and should stay out of the equation.

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 1:09 PM

What difference does it really make? You can still not grow or sell in the states that passed this law.It will only make the drug war move to Washington and Colorado away from Texas and other border states.If there is a way to tax and control sells it would be better than just having it open for recreational use.If you were allowed to grow your own by having a permit,and make it a felony for possession over two ounces it would cut down on the use and battles being fought between smugglers.Think about this.Alcohol prohibition was fought the same way Marijuana legalization is being done today.When the Federal Government saw it was not going away they taxed it and made it legal.Right or wrong this will not go away.Make it legal,tax it heavy,control who sells it and watch its use go down.Half the thrill of using it is knowing it is wrong to do it.Thats just human nature.When I was younger I smoked enough weed to get everyone in Shelbyville high for a week,but never drank alcohol because it was legal and you could get it anywhere.The ones of you who think different are the same ones who said there would never be a Lottery in Tennessee because it is considered gambling.When that passed it just opened the door for casinos and other RECREATIONAL THINGS.Yes the times they are a changing.

-- Posted by mytaxesaremine on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 1:29 PM

Steve I guess you and I were writing at the same time.Your right marijuana is better(stronger) now than in the 70's.The reason,it is being grown in controlled environments.The best seeds are used from the best plants with the most THC.Just like you grow your winter tomato's.Hydrophobic is the way its done.

-- Posted by mytaxesaremine on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 1:45 PM

Opps Thats Hydroponic.

-- Posted by mytaxesaremine on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 1:51 PM

I'm against legalization of marijuana. My opinion is based on seeing far too many young people start on marijuana and going on to far more dangerous drugs...and far too many of them die or take the lives of others.

-- Posted by bomelson on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 2:02 PM

When I look at overdose deaths rates from substances such as Aspirin there were estimated at 6,000 last year 2,000 from Heroin,Cocaine and Meth, Zero for Marijuana. Now if we take Marijuana out equation and use a harm reduction and maintenance program that number could be reduced substantially. at a fraction of the cost.

In last 25 years we have spent more than a Trillion Dollars 25 million arrest over 850,000 arrest last year 50 Billion. Granted Heroin is not a benign substance but after 45 years of Partaking I have never really ever had any real interest in any hard drugs so the gate way theory is BS so we spend all this money send all these people in prison for decades mostly for pot. To save the 2,000 overdoses we spend $50,000,000/2,000=$25,000,000 per overdose

-- Posted by knowa on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 2:06 PM

I'm against legalization of marijuana. My opinion is based on seeing far too many young people start on marijuana and going on to far more dangerous drugs...and far too many of them die or take the lives of others.

-- Posted by bomelson on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 2:02 PM

Actually it has been proven in other countries, that when Marijuana has been legalized, the percentages of people addicted to other drugs has gone down. Largely because they no longer have to buy the Marijuana on the black market from drug dealers who may also introduce them to harder drugs.

-- Posted by jamescaperton on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 3:43 PM

bomelson, how can you say that? The young people you talked about were "harmed" by marijuana *during* its prohibition.

The federal marijuana prohibition DIDN'T prevent them getting marijuana but your recommended course of action is to *continue* the prohibition and *continue* to allow them to access it. That's absolutely unbelievable!

When we legalized alcohol we drove the bootleggers off the street and made alcohol *harder* for minors to access. We need to do the EXACT same thing with marijuana right now!!

-- Posted by jway on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 3:58 PM

I'm against legalization of alcohol. My opinion is based on seeing far too many young people start on alcohol and going on to far more dangerous drugs...and far too many of them die or take the lives of others.

-- Posted by dubjunky on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 5:04 PM

Bo, I can understand your opinion, but I suggest that folks that go too far with alcohol, marijuana or drugs are in need of other support in the first place.

Many of us have probably had a drink or two. Others may have had a toke or two, but most of us are not killers, abusers, etc. That tendency is established from other environmental and social influences.

I would dare say that most of the people who "go on to far more dangerous drugs" started on alcohol, yet we all know prohibition is probably not coming back. Maybe, but I don't think in my lifetime.

Now when it comes to hard drugs, I think that the intense addiction causes people to go far beyond what they would do normally. I do not have have a suggestion for this part of the equation.

Damage seems to be done so quickly. THIS is where I would put most of our efforts, but this is also one of the toughest to stop since backyard chemists seem to pop up anywhere.

I would love to read some constructive ideas for this. Maybe some of our drug counselors can inform us what makes people ingest or inhale such caustic, mind damaging substances.

Is it the false, untouchable foolishness of youth or do 30 year old individuals suddenly sniff freon or take battery acid, matches, etc. to make meth?

Is it because they don't believe the warnings, have not heard it or don't care?

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 5:10 PM

Bo,In your years of reporting did you ever see someone smoking pot do anything stupid like those who were drunk? I personally have never seen someone wanting to fight or cause physical harm on weed,but have seen fights and even killings where they were on alcohol.Granted a mixture of drugs can cause this,but not just pot by its self. I think there is a larger problem with prescription drugs than any other drug in this country.But hey prescription drugs have millions in cash going to politicians and lobbyist,that makes it legal.I would dare say if you put a few million in the right places Marijuana would become as legal as cold drinks.

-- Posted by mytaxesaremine on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 5:38 PM

I could care less really if marijuana is legal or not since I wil never do it anyway since I have respect for myself but most of the people who I know that do it really aren't the sharpest tools in the shed anyway. We might as well make some money off of it.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Mon, Nov 12, 2012, at 8:44 PM

I have a friend who is now retired from a very large metropolitan police force (not in Tennessee)who is also a pilot. He taught me how to fly Cessna aircraft back in college.

I was very naive at the time and did not realize that many times when we were flying, he was flying higher than me. Looking back, I realize that the funny tobacco he had in his pipe had MJ mixed in, if not all MJ.

He went on to be a successful and decorated officer in the police force. I don't know if he stopped smoking, but he most definitely had control of himself and his career.

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, Nov 13, 2012, at 7:10 AM

We had a young man die only a few days ago during a home invasion. What was in that home. A marijuana growing operation. Things such as this just recently conbined with taking photos for law enforcement officers, many of which involved marijuana and other drugs. Too many people were dead. Some with needles in their arms and marijuana was on the premises. I've seen too much. By the way, our first drug arrest in Bedford County was in October, 1970, for a single marijuana cigarette. Where are we now?

-- Posted by bomelson on Tue, Nov 13, 2012, at 7:57 AM

I'll tell you where you are Bo,on the losing end of societal change. Blaming cannabis for the violence or unlawful acts that SOME people engage in is just rediculous. Cannabis would have NO value at all if it were not prohibited.

-- Posted by Justin Hale on Tue, Nov 13, 2012, at 9:23 AM

I love how everyone seems to be criticizing Bo for his viewpoint when he has probably seen more dead bodies due to drugs and alcohol than all of you combined. BTW . . . why is it so important for some of you to make it legal? If you can't deal with life or your problems without smoking marijuana then you have some much bigger issues.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Nov 13, 2012, at 10:23 AM

@jaxspike

What a narrow minded bigoted point of view. Some people like religeon,some people like sports,some people like meditation,some people like alcohol,some people like MerryWanna.

Bo has seen lots of dead bodies,so what? ,that's supposed to make him an authority on drug policy? Hey,I've seen hundreds of wreaked cars,should we prohibit driving?

I'm speaking from the standpoint of working in the addiction treatment field as a counselor off and on for the better part of 22 years. There are sound arguments on both sides of this debate, however I am personally against legalization of pot. Alcohol & Tobacco kill more people than all other drugs combined. Based on these two facts alone, this discussion begs the question; Do we really need to legalize another substance, thereby making it more readily available to our children? Any cummilative data gathered by any reputable treatment agency will show that not everyone who smokes pot will move on to harder drugs like Meth, Cocaine or Heroin. However, every single client I have ever treated who was addicted to these harder substances started with pot. Why do we need to open the door any wider to this risk?

-- Posted by Tim Lokey on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 12:41 AM

Justin Hale . . . were you smoking something when your wrote your response? Not only was it immature but some of it really did not make sense. When you decide to act like an adult and respond as such, maybe I will take your viewpoint seriously. Till then, learn what bigot means before throwing the word around.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 1:16 AM

" Alcohol & Tobacco kill more people than all other drugs combined. Based on these two facts alone, this discussion begs the question; Do we really need to legalize another substance, "

YES we do need a Safer alternative to those Toxic Legal products. MerryWanna has never killed Anyone.

As a counselor you know that some people just have addictive personalities. The gateway theory has been debunked a long time ago.

Just because One out of 100 go on to harder drugs is No valid reason to deny it to the 99 who use it responsibly.

If You were concerned about the children you would support taking it out of the cartels/drug dealers control by voting Yes for legalizing and regulating MJ just as we do alcohol.

-- Posted by Justin Hale on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 9:57 AM

This was in today's newspaper

"An occupant of a Railroad Avenue home was arrested for possession of marijuana as Shelbyville police and a Department of Children's Services investigator checked a report of possible drug activity Friday afternoon.

Walter Michael Williamson, 31, told officer Tory Moore he used the marijuana "recreationally and for pain."

The disheveled home reeked of marijuana, Moore said, and one "lethargic" man who was not charged was smoking a marijuana cigarette. A third man, a woman and two children were in the home as well, Moore's report said.

Williamson was charged with possession of a schedule VI drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. He posted $7,000 bond.

Officers had been told a meth lab was possibly inside the home. No meth was found, police said"

So people that believe that marijuana should be legalized are also agreeing that what went on in this home was ok also. These children do not need to be surrounded by that nor put in harm's way. Public health advocates stress that it causes impairment that reduces attention, lowers motivation and heightens the risk of accidents which definitely is scary when you put children in the mixture.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 12:29 PM

I would bet that someone visiting another persons home could easily say the house needed straightening up and if that person is a smoker, and the visiting person is not, to them, I am sure it "reeked" of cigarette smell.

Do we outlaw cigarettes? Secondhand smoke has been documented as being harmful to all, not just children.

I would bet that all the disheveled homes are not pot smokers, but they might have alcohol in the house, so should we outlaw alcohol if there are women and children in there?

Those are facetious questions but make my point about the news article.

Apparently they raided the house for a meth lab. I firmly agree with their action, but if MJ were legalized, we would not hear about their housekeeping unless it was a raid for child welfare.

Tim, I was wondering when you were going to weigh in on this. I remembered your background.

Regarding your comment "However, every single client I have ever treated who was addicted to these harder substances started with pot." I would bet that we could step back one or two more steps and say that BEFORE the MJ, they were drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes which can also be addictive.

So, where does the predisposition to addiction come into this? Why did your clients feel that they needed to step it up to harder drugs?

Some had a chemical addiction, some had an emotional and some had both. Where do you see that coming into play with a person who graduates to harder drugs?

I know your concern and involvement in this field, so I hope you know, I am asking from a learning position. I truly want to hear your thoughts.

-- Posted by stevemills on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 2:40 PM

By the way, my comments are not meant to belittle the premature deaths that occur for any reason. Those are all tragedies.

-- Posted by stevemills on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 2:43 PM

Justin Hale, you have your right to your opinion of me. I'm glad you haven't had to see the death and destruction I've seen. Those scenes don't leave you. I could throws names, places and times in the hundreds or thousands at you but why bother.

-- Posted by bomelson on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 2:49 PM

Justin made a few good points. Nobody has EVER died from an overdose of marijuana. On the other hand people can, and do, die quite often of alcohol poisoning. Also the "gateway" drug argument is total B.S. I liked the point Justin made about....just where do you start with that theory? Those miniorty of people that went on to harder drugs most likely started with beer before graduating to pot. And anyone that knows just the slightest bit about how marijuana effects a person would know that a person drunk behind the wheel of a car is 100 times more dangerous than someone who has smoked a little weed. Marijuana can actually stimulate your thought process and even make you more cautious of your surroundings. Where alcohol will blur your vision, dull your senses, and even make you forget what the hell you were even doing. It makes no sense to me at all that something as dangerous as alcohol can be legal, and this harmless little plant that grows wild is still even considered a "drug".

-- Posted by Rocket Valentine on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 6:32 PM

I agree and disagree.When I smoked pot I never had a urge to do other drugs.I did have a cocaine addiction later in life,but it had nothing to do with smoking a little weed.It was just HIP in the early 80's to do that and a lot of my friends were.I started selling cocaine to off set the high cost.Made a bunch of money,but before I knew it I was cutting a little more out each time.In the end I had gone through over $100,000. with nothing to show for it.I guess I was lucky that I had support and quit without going into rehab.I can honestly say I regret that it happened as I affected a few more lives with my bad deeds.I just hope that any actions that any of you do does not effect others lives.I still say smoking pot is not as bad as alcohol or LEGAL prescription drugs.I dare say that anyone who has responded to this post knows someone addicted to Xanax,Hydrocodone,Oxycodone ,Valium or some other LEGAL DRUG.When I say addicted I mean they take more than they should,or buy extras off the street.

-- Posted by mytaxesaremine on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 7:29 PM

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned yet in this thread is actually who stands to lose the most and fights the hardest to keep marijuana illegal...the answer is the pharmaceutical companies. MJ has been proven to have many medicinal beneifits that help people with illnesses from glaucoma and cancer, to simple things such as restless leg syndrome. Just like the NRA and Workers Unions, they contribute millions of dollars to politicians to keep them voting for their best interests. If people could legally grow a few plants in their back yard for free that help their sickness, they don't need to buy expensive pills from the pharmacy that probably don't even work as well, and has more dangerous side effects.

-- Posted by Rocket Valentine on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 9:00 PM

Thank you Steve.

There have been studies that do indicate there is a genetic connection to addiction. Our own cummalitive data studies show that approximatley 85% of our clientele have reported a history of alcohol/drug addiction in their family history. With regard to alcoholism in particular, the brains of deceased homless people who suffered from alcoholism were found to have a chemical called Tetrahydroisoquinylone (THIQ) This chemical is not found in the brains of those who do not use alcohol. (Google THIQ) Marijuana does have it's medical benefits, as it relieves nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and THC has been shown to relieve pressure on the optic nerve in Glaucoma patients. Most illicit substances were first developed for medicinal purposes.LSD was once thought to be a cure for mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. Cocaine Hydrochloride is still a very widely used topical anisthetic. Morphine is still one of medicine's best pain killers.

My personal stance against legalization stems from my experience counseling younger clients, all of whom have summized that had they not initially used marijuana, they would never have been tempted to use harder substances. The best probable move for all concerned would be the decriminalization of marijuana to the point that being found in possession of any amount less than 28 grams (1 OZ) would result in a citation with minor fines and no jail time and DUI laws would apply to those caught driving under it's influence. I believe this would serve two valid purposes. This type of punishment would discourage use, while at the same time relieving overcrowded jails and reducing the risk of aquiring a felony conviction that may very well affect someone for the rest of their life. There would, of course be revenue into county coffers from fines, etc. Hope this was somewhat helpful, and thank you for an opportunity to input on this very worthy topic of discussion.

-- Posted by Tim Lokey on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 11:37 PM

I should add that drugs and alcohol do not, in and of themselves cause addiction. If so, everyone who ever used these substances would be addicted to them. The person who becomes addicted to these substances often begin using them to medicate their emotions, both positive and negative. The addict has something deep within themselves that they find so unsatisfactory, they feel it necessary to pour a chemical on top of it to make it feel okay for awhile. When this type of use goes on long enough, the body itself becomes addicted. People become addicted to sex, gambling, food, etc. for exactly the same reason. It changes the way they feel about themselves.

Personal recovery from addiction requires what I like to refer to as a "root canal" of the soul. Alcohol and drugs are only symptoms of the problem. We have to get down to causes and conditions. Belief and dependence upon God, plus the humble willingness to do wehatever it takes makes this possible.

Thanks Again Steve

-- Posted by Tim Lokey on Wed, Nov 14, 2012, at 11:51 PM

Thanks Tim and David for starting this discussion. I knew there were deeper reasons for use and addiction but did not know enough to be qualified to make a statement.

As a gardener, and a person who has gone through treatment for cancer, I was kind of interested in Rocket Valentine's suggestion about growing a few plants for personal consumption. I do not know if I could handle smoking it, but ..... it is an interesting thought.

I do not know how much a few plants would equate to in weight. If you are carrying more than a personal consumption weight, then you get the fine, because you might be selling but otherwise no penalty.

I also do not know if there are blood tests to evaluate if a person is impaired, but just like alcohol, if the amount is below a certain level, no penalty.

No one should have it on school property unless they have a prescription and then only enough to last the day. Age restriction could be the same as alcohol.

THEN, we take some of the money brought in from fines and some of the money saved from law enforcement and see if we can improve children's attitudes and opinions of themselves and teach them how to cope with adolescent emotions, rejection, losing, peer pressure, etc.. Start working on a healthier emotional society.

That does not mean making sure everyone wins in sports, or falsifying failure to be something else. It means helping young people learn how to cope with problems they encounter. While living is great, life is not always rosy, but the next day will come and life will go on and they can still be a successful human being.

-- Posted by stevemills on Thu, Nov 15, 2012, at 10:12 AM

" So people that believe that marijuana should be legalized are also agreeing that what went on in this home was ok also. These children do not need to be surrounded by that nor put in harm's way."

Who the hell made YOU the arbiter of how people should live their lives?this world would be a better place if we did not have pseudo moralists like yourself sticking their big noses in other peoples business.

Do you share the same level of concern for children who live in homes of tobacco smokers? Second hand tobacco smoke is somehow LESS harmful than MerryWanna smoke? Google Dr. Donald Tashkin UCLA smoking and cannabis studies.

So in your opinion we should have the police spending their time going around breaking up families if there is MJ in the house? That's real compassionate of you jax.

YES,I voted to legalize MerryWanna,I don't think that families should be broken up because of MJ use. YOU on the other hand seem to think the solution to your perceived "problems"of children living in a home where MerryWanna is used is to throw the parents in jail and the children into CPS, you're a real Gem jax.

-- Posted by Justin Hale on Thu, Nov 15, 2012, at 10:58 AM

" Justin Hale, you have your right to your opinion of me. I'm glad you haven't had to see the death and destruction I've seen. Those scenes don't leave you."

No,I have probably not seen what you have seen,so what.

You are free to have your opinions about MerryWanna legalization,but IF you are going to be intellectually honest you Also need to be out there advocating for alcohol prohibition,cell phone prohibition,eating while driving prohibition, ARE YOU?

-- Posted by Justin Hale on Thu, Nov 15, 2012, at 11:25 AM

@StevenMills,

I'll respond to your questions.

The amount of useable MJ a plant will produce is a wide variable,but an average might be 1-2 oz.

Testing for "impairment" is not an exact science,just as the BAC of .08 does Not indicate "impairment". Here in WA. state there will be a 5ng/ml thc/blood per se DUI. This proves that cannabis has been consumed but in No way does it prove "impairment".

The law prohibits use by anyone under 21.

A large portion of the revenue from cannabis sales will be dedicated to Health /substance abuse education.

People fear what they don't know,the more you learn about MJ the less you fear it.

-- Posted by Justin Hale on Thu, Nov 15, 2012, at 12:02 PM

Stupid is as stupid does . . .

-- Posted by jaxspike on Thu, Nov 15, 2012, at 12:42 PM

Legalize it then at least we can tax it and make some money on it instead of spending money on the war against drugs (which BTW seems to be working so well... "sarcasm" . The ones who are users now will still be the users when it is legal.

Just because liquor and tobacco are legal did not make you become a user ...did it? No I didn't think so if you use it is because you choose to do so legal or not!

-- Posted by Dianatn on Thu, Nov 15, 2012, at 7:01 PM

" Stupid is as stupid does"

You've already established That.

-- Posted by Justin Hale on Fri, Nov 16, 2012, at 9:41 AM

Me personaly, I am 100% in for the legalization of mj across the us! Reason being: I have & currently do smoke marjiuana, & I can honestly say it helps me with my pain. I have (Ms) and I do not want to be stuck on a bunch of pills (chemicals)! I can say I remember my parents as for many of them, I'm sure, told me that marjiuana was bad for me! And that it would lead to other drugs, & blah,blah,blah! I love my mother & father, but they LIED to me! And when I found out later on that mj wasn't all that bad, & it didn't lead 2 nothing but over eating, I thought to myself, well huh, if mj isn't so bad, I guess eveyones lying about the "other" BAD drugs isn't either! Boy was I wrong! And yes, I think if my parents would've told me the TRUTH about mj, insted that bullcrap, then things would've ended up different! I ended up going from mj, to harder drugs, all through my teen yrs, now I am in my fortys, & I can honestly say, I am clean from the drugs, (except 4 smoking my medicine). But I don't see mj as a bad drug! I wish that whoever doesn't want it legal & so on, would look at it in a disabled persons eye's, like myself, that smoke it for pain, & it helps me eat. Its a shame that I have to sneak to get it! That the people way up don't take things like my situation into consideration! Oh well, I guess this issue will go unresolved, such as all the other issues in the us that does! Just my opinion. Have a good day 2 all..